An open source map tool for DMs, mapmakers, worldbuilders, authors and everyone

Built on Apache, MySQL & PHP, Cartonomicon is a web app built to make it easy to organize information in the context of maps and images.

Upload & organize images to use for your elements

Uploaded images can be used as custom marker images, marker sidebar images, or new maps.

Create maps, store any kind of article

Creating a map generates a new encyclopedia of elements specific to that map that can be added as markers.

Markers can be anything - people, places, or things

Organize the position of any element on a map. Place markers to link into a nested map, or simply contain the information of a person/place/thing of interest.

Open source for the D&D and fiction communities

My mission is to create free & open source tools for the geek community, and encourage more nerds like me to do the same.

Latest blog

5 useful Cartonomicon tricks for DMs

How to get it during the beta

Until the first stable release, you can self-host your own Cartonomicon beta server or back the project on Patreon at the $20 level to receive a patron-exclusive hosted beta server.

Manual install

Free

  • Self-install on your own server
  • Manual updates
  • Self-manage backups
  • Self-supported
Github repo

Back it on Patreon

$20/ mo

    During the beta, Patreon backers at the $20 level or higher receive their own server to beta test the app.

Back the project

Cartonomicon Hosted

$22/ mo

  • Unlimited maps & markers
  • 20 GB of image storage
  • Ticket support
  • Automatic backups

Cartonomicon Hosted+

$30 / mo

  • Unlimited maps & markers
  • 40 GB of image storage
  • Priority ticket support
  • Automatic backups

My name is David, and I'm a D&D web nerd.

I created Cartonomicon when I realized the power and utility in being able to upload, mark and share an annotated map or image with my players. I create battlemaps for my players, but never really found a great way to organize the points of interest and all the related information, first-person descriptors, and other stuff I write down about my world.

Since then I've realized how flexible a tool like Cartonomicon can be, so I open sourced it and created this website to show all the ways it can be used. Hope it's useful to you!

Try the demo Support the project on Patreon

How to use Cartonomicon

Five things to know before diving in!

1. Create maps

Upload a huge world map, or a small interior floor plan - you decide. Creating a new map is as easy as entering a title and choosing an image from your computer.

2. Add markers to maps

Click anywhere to add a new element, or link one from your article storage that you've already created. Drag existing markers around to reposition.

3. Edit each marker as an article and / or a nested map with its own markers

Articles support a title, description, sidebar image. Additionally, you can link markers to other maps that can have their own markers, allowing you to infinitely nest them.

4. Search for markers by title & article body to locate them on maps

Each maps includes its own searchable encyclopedia, populated with relevant elements you've created for that map.

5. Store & organize markers, building a living encyclopedia relative to your map

Put elements in your storage to pull markers off the map without losing articles. Create elements in storage in advance to rapidly place them on your map.

The beta is live!

While we work towards the first stable open source release of Cartonomicon, it can now be beta tested! Use the demo on this page and if you have time, report any bugs you encounter using the form in the menu.

If you're a Patreon backer at the $20 level, you will receive your own Cartonomicon server to test with, which you will be able to keep when the full stable release is out.

Try the demo Support the project on Patreon

Map examples

Check out Cartonomicon in action

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Skyline project

Naming every skyscraper in this shot of the Los Angeles skyline. It's unfinished, but it's a work in progress!

Launch demo
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Floorplanning

Uploaded my old apartment's floor plan and called out a few points of interest for roommates.

Launch demo
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Eastern Kharlia

In this example, I take inventory for the locations in my game's world on a large map.

Launch demo
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The Three Continents

An enormous known-world map reference of 3 continents in my game.

Launch demo